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Motor Trend Names All-New Ram Heavy Duty Pickup "Truck of the Year"



All-new 2010 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty pickups recognized by editors for setting a new benchmark in heavy-duty truck segment

All-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickup beats the competition in a series of rigorous tests

Auburn Hills, Mich. , Dec 10, 2009 - The editors of Motor Trend today named the all-new 2010 Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty pickups the magazine's "2010 Truck of the Year."

"To have our all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty named Truck of the Year by the editors of Motor Trend really defines how great this new Ram Heavy Duty pickup is," said Fred Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer - Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "The Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award is like a standing ovation for the Chrysler Group designers, engineers and planners who developed this incredible Ram Heavy Duty Truck."

Motor Trend Truck of the Year contenders are evaluated using six criteria, which includes design advancement, engineering excellence, intended function, efficiency, safety and value. To be eligible, a vehicle must have been substantially changed from the previous model.

"The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty absolutely nailed the award in terms of our criteria, from the attractive exterior styling, to the plush and quiet cabins, to the tough and capable powertrains, especially the impressive Cummins diesel, which meets 50-state emissions standards without needing expensive after-treatment technology," said Angus MacKenzie, Editor-in-Chief, Motor Trend. "It delivers the capability heavy duty truck users demand, with style and refinement they perhaps did not expect."

Innovative New Features Strengthen Ram Heavy Duty's Capability and Performance 

The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty brings increased capability and innovative new features to the heavy-duty segment with an uncompromising attitude that remains the standard for all full-size heavy-duty pickups.

For 2010, the all-new Ram Heavy Duty is available in five distinct trim models - ST, SLT, TRX, Power Wagon and Laramie. Each has a unique appearance and offers various equipment options.

Ram Heavy Duty delivers the performance and amenities customers demand. The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickups feature a hydro-formed, fully boxed frame with advanced torsional rigidity and stiffness. A coil-spring suspension setup is used up front, while the multi-leaf spring design is maintained in the rear for heavy-duty capability. Front and rear shocks and springs are tuned for optimum ride quality and capability.

Improved suspension tuning and new C-pillar hydra mounts were added to the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty models to improve damping through the frame-bending mode frequency in order to better manage shake and after-shake response. The result is reduced shake, which means an improved ride for the customer.

The new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups offer the only standard exhaust brake in the segment (diesel-equipped models). This feature reduces brake fade, prolongs brake life and provides confidence and safety when hauling heavy loads on downhill grades. Large front (360 mm) and rear (358 mm) brakes with integrated Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) increase brake life and braking stability.

An available integrated trailer brake control provides better driver control in towing situations. Trailer brake control information is conveniently displayed in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), which is standard on all Ram heavy duty models equipped with a diesel engine and available on gas SLT, TRX and Laramie models.

In addition, new 2010 Ram transmissions include Electronic Range Select, which enables the driver to manually limit the highest available transmission gear, allowing manual upshifts and downshifts based on road speed and engine speed. A tow/haul mode switch enhances tow capability while towing. Tow/haul mode is available on both five-speed and six-speed automatic transmissions.

Customers in the heavy-duty segment have a range of needs, and most of them involve high levels of capability. The new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 are designed to deliver a total package:

Increased Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on 2500 4x4 crew cab diesel models to 9,600 pounds from 9,000 pounds.

Increased Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) on 3500 dually models with diesel, auto transmission and 4.10 rear axle to 24,500 pounds from 24,000 pounds. With the Max Tow Package, GCWR increases to 25,400 pounds (late availability).

Increased GCWR on 3500 4x2 models to 24,000 pounds from 23,000 pounds.

Increased front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on several models:

To 5,500 pounds from 5,200 pounds on diesel 4x4 pickups

To 5,000 pounds from 4,700 pounds on diesel 4x2 pickups

Other towing features include improved trailer-tow mirrors with integrated turn signals, memory function and puddle lamps. The larger 7-in. x 11-in. trailer-tow mirrors offer improved visibility with larger convex glass surfaces. Mirrors flip up and out in a vertical configuration for improved visibility around wide trailers. Trailer-tow mirrors are now standard on 3500. As an added convenience, a Class IV receiver is now standard on all Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups.

Ram Heavy Duty towing, payload and axle capacity have all been increased for 2010. Suspension upgrades and larger front-axle U-joints, combined with increased front GAWR, result in increased front-weight carrying capability - a must for larger snowplows.

The Ram Power Wagon also returns for the 2010 model year, equipped with electric-locking front and rear differentials, electronic disconnecting sway bar, Bilstein shocks, 32-inch BFGoodrich off-road tires, underbody skid plate protection, 4.56 axle ratio for hill climbing and a custom-built Warn® 12,000-pound winch that is accessible through the front bumper. The 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon features new exterior graphics and a lower two-tone paint scheme.

Ram Heavy Duty Powertrains Include 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel and 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8

Powertrain choices include the legendary 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, which produces 350 horsepower (261 kW) at 3,000 rpm and 650 lb.-ft. of torque (881 N?m) at only 1,500 rpm.

The most durable and reliable engine in its class, the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel features standard oil change intervals of 7,500 miles. It also has major-overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles, providing more than a 100,000-mile advantage over the competition.

The Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel engine uses a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to virtually eliminate particulate matter emissions and an adsorber catalyst to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by as much as 90 percent, in order to meet stringent 2010.5 diesel emissions requirements.

The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty comes standard with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 gasoline engine, delivering 383 horsepower (286 kW) at 5,600 rpm and 400 lb.-ft. of torque (542 N?m) at 4,000 rpm. The 5.7-liter HEMI was redesigned for 2009, with several new and improved technologies including Variable-valve Timing (VVT), increased compression ratio, active intake manifold with long runners for low-end torque and short runners for high-rpm power, improved cylinder head port flow efficiency and reduced-restriction exhaust and induction systems.

New Exterior Styling; Loads of Interior Comfort and Convenience

The all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickup was born from the same truck family that brought out the award-winning Ram 1500 - Strategic Vision's Quality Award Winner.

The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty includes all-new styling, offering a tougher more capable look with improved aerodynamics and fit and finish. To accommodate cooling requirements of the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, the new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty grille opening is larger than the light-duty grille. The larger grille mates to a taller hood that incorporates louvers on each side. Access to the front winch (on Power Wagon models) and tow hooks led to the unique front-bumper design.

The new dual-rear-wheel fenders (3500 dually only) are now integrated into the box stamping and offer a smooth aerodynamic appearance.

The new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Mega Cab models offer best-in-class interior room in the segment, including the largest, longest cab (143.2 cubic feet 111.1 inches long); largest interior cargo volume (72.2 cubic feet); largest cargo volume behind rear seat (7.7 cubic feet); largest flat-floor load area (16.8 square feet); largest second-row leg room (44.2 inches); largest rear-door opening (34.5 inches wide, 35.5 inches high); largest rear-door open angle 85 degrees); and first-ever reclining rear seats (22- to 37-degree seat-back angle).

Ram Heavy Duty Delivers More than 25 Safety and Security Features 

The all-new Ram Heavy Duty also offers 25 active and passive safety features, including Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), advanced multi-stage air bags, BeltAlert, Brake/Park interlock, child-protection rear door locks, Constant-force Retractors (CFR), crumple zones, electronic brake-force distribution, energy-absorbing steering column, Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS), height-adjustable seat belts, HomeLink universal home security system transceiver, interior head-impact protection, knee bolsters, Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child seat anchor system, low-risk deployment air bag, Parksense® rear park-assist system, power-adjustable pedals, remote keyless entry, seat-belt pretensioners, Sentry Key® engine immobilizer, standard side-curtain air bags, three-point seat belts, Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) and Uconnect Phone.

2010 Ram Heavy Duty Pricing

The all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty is available with a starting U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $28,165 for regular cab models, $31,415 for crew cab models and $36,865 for Mega Cab models. All prices include $950 for destination. The all-new 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty arrives in dealerships in late 2009 calendar year.

About

Motor Trend
Motor Trend, part of Source Interlink Media, LLC was founded in 1949 and is internationally recognized as one of the leading brands in automotive publishing, Motor Trend comprises Motor Trend Magazine, the motortrend.com website, Motor Trend Radio, Truck Trend, Motor Trend International Auto Shows, Motor Trend en Espanol and Motor Trend Car, Sport/Utility and Truck of the Year Awards program.

About Ram Brand 

With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, Ram offers the boldest, most powerful and capable pickup truck lineup on the planet.

Introduced in 2008, the Ram 1500 is a game-changer in terms of its ability to "outsmart" and "out-tough" the competition with its bold exterior design, crafted and refined interior, engineering excellence, superb innovation and best-in-class features and amenities.

The Ram 1500 also ranks at the top of Strategic Vision 2009 Total Quality Index? (TQI) in the full-size truck segment. According to the survey, the Ram 1500 leads the way with the highest Total Quality score of any truck in the 15-year history of the study.

Customers specifically noted that the Ram has the best added storage capability along with the best truck interior ever rated by customers.

Ram will add to its award-winning truck lineup with the introduction of its all-new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty Trucks. The new Heavy-Duty trucks provide customers with first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and driveability, building on the Ram's leadership in the Heavy-Duty pickup segment.

Ram will further enhance its commercial vehicle presence with the introduction of a "new crew" of commercial-grade work trucks: the new 2011 Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. Led by an all-new crew cab, the new 2011 Dodge Ram Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis and engineered for maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability.
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All-new 2010 Ram 2500 Power Wagon Named Four Wheeler "Pickup Truck of the Year"


  • All-new 2010 Ram 2500 Power Wagon beats the competition in a series of in-depth on- and off-road tests
  • All-new Ram 2500/3500 Heavy Duty lineup includes five distinct trim models-ST, SLT, TRX, Power Wagon and Laramie
  • All-new 2010 Ram 2500 Power Wagon is the most off-road-ready production pickup truck with electric-locking front and rear differentials, electronic disconnecting sway bar, Bilstein shocks, 32-inch BFGoodrich off-road tires, underbody skid plate protection, 4.56 axle ratio for hill climbing and a custom-built Warn® 12,000 pound winch

Auburn Hills, Mich. , Dec 8, 2009  -  The editors of Four Wheeler have named the all-new 2010 Ram 2500 Power Wagon pickup the magazine's "2010 Pickup Truck of the Year."

"It's an honor to have Four Wheeler magazine recognize our all-new 2010 Ram 2500 Power Wagon with this significant award," said Fred Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer - Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "This award speaks loudly about the Ram Power Wagon; it's the most capable factory-equipped off-road-ready pickup truck on the road."

This year's competitors included four new pickup trucks, the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty Power Wagon, the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty with a Cummins? diesel, the Ford SVT F-150 Raptor and the Toyota Tundra. To qualify for the competition, a vehicle must have been entirely new or have substantial mechanical revisions from a previous model year.

"The new Power Wagon is quite nearly the best of all worlds," said Douglas McColloch, Editor - Four Wheeler. "Its tall stance and body-on-frame architecture don't get in the way of delivering a pleasant and relatively quiet highway ride. Its work-truck ethic is belied by its eight-lug axles and 10,000-pound tow rating. And once off the pavement, deep in the dirt, the Power Wagon can simply go places, and do things, that no other full-size truck on the planet can. Locking differentials, a disconnecting front swaybar, and a 12,000-pound winch delivered straight from the factory will do that for you. All in all, the Power Wagon is a very worthy winner of our Pickup Truck of the Year competition."

Innovative New Features Strengthen Ram Heavy Duty's Capability and Performance
The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty brings increased capability and innovative new features to the heavy-duty segment with an uncompromising attitude that remains the standard for all full-size heavy-duty pickups.

For 2010, the all-new Ram Heavy Duty is available in five distinct trim models - ST, SLT, TRX, Power Wagon and Laramie. Each has a unique appearance and offers various equipment options.

Ram Heavy Duty delivers the performance and amenities customers demand. The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickups feature a hydro-formed, fully boxed frame with advanced torsional rigidity and stiffness. A coil-spring suspension setup is used up front, while the multi-leaf spring design is maintained in the rear for heavy-duty capability. Front and rear shocks and springs are tuned for optimum ride quality and capability.

Improved suspension tuning and new C-pillar hydra mounts were added to the 2010 Ram Heavy Duty models to improve damping through the frame-bending mode frequency in order to better manage shake and after-shake response. The result is reduced shake, which means an improved ride for the customer.

The new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups offer the only standard exhaust brake in the segment (diesel-equipped models). This feature reduces brake fade, prolongs brake life and provides confidence and safety when hauling heavy loads on downhill grades. Large front (360 mm) and rear (358 mm) brakes with integrated Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) increase brake life and braking stability.

An available integrated trailer brake control provides better driver control in towing situations. Trailer brake control information is conveniently displayed in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), which is standard on all Ram heavy-duty models equipped with a diesel engine and available on gas SLT, TRX and Laramie models.

In addition, new 2010 Ram transmissions include Electronic Range Select, which enables the driver to manually limit the highest available transmission gear, allowing manual upshifts and downshifts based on road speed and engine speed. A tow/haul mode switch enhances tow capability while towing. Tow/haul mode is available on both five-speed and six-speed automatic transmissions.

Customers in the heavy-duty segment have a range of needs, and most of them involve high levels of capability. The new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 are designed to deliver a total package:

  • Increased Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on 2500 4x4 crew cab diesel models to 9,600 pounds from 9,000 pounds
  • Increased Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) on 3500 dually models with diesel, auto transmission and 4.10 rear axle to 24,500 pounds from 24,000 pounds. With the Max Tow Package, GCWR increases to 25,400 pounds (late availability)
  • Increased GCWR on 3500 4x2 models to 24,000 pounds from 23,000 pounds
  • Increased front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on several models:

o        To 5,500 pounds from 5,200 pounds on diesel 4x4 pickups

o        To 5,000 pounds from 4,700 pounds on diesel 4x2 pickups

Other towing features include improved trailer-tow mirrors with integrated turn signals, memory function and puddle lamps. The larger 7-in. x 11-in. trailer-tow mirrors offer improved visibility with larger convex glass surfaces. Mirrors flip up and out in a vertical configuration for improved visibility around wide trailers. Trailer-tow mirrors are now standard on 3500. As an added convenience, a Class IV receiver is now standard on all Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups.

Ram Heavy Duty towing, payload and axle capacity have all been increased for 2010. Suspension upgrades and larger front-axle U-joints, combined with increased front GAWR, result in increased front-weight carrying capability - a must for larger snowplows.

The Ram Power Wagon also returns for the 2010 model year, equipped with electric-locking front and rear differentials, electronic disconnecting sway bar, Bilstein shocks, 32-inch BFGoodrich off-road tires, underbody skid plate protection, 4.56 axle ratio for hill climbing and a custom-built Warn® 12,000-pound winch that is accessible through the front bumper. The 2010 Dodge Ram Power Wagon features new exterior graphics and a lower two-tone paint scheme.

Ram Heavy Duty Powertrains Include 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel and 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8
Powertrain choices include the legendary 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, which produces 350 horsepower (261 kW) at 3,000 rpm and 650 lb.-ft. of torque (881 N?m) at only 1,500 rpm.

The most durable and reliable engine in its class, the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel features standard oil-change intervals of 7,500 miles. It also has major-overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles, providing more than a 100,000-mile advantage over the competition.

The Cummins 6.7-liter Turbo Diesel engine uses a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to virtually eliminate particulate matter emissions and an adsorber catalyst to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by as much as 90 percent, in order to meet stringent 2010.5 diesel emissions requirements.

The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty comes standard with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 gasoline engine, delivering 383 horsepower (286 kW) at 5,600 rpm and 400 lb.-ft. of torque (542 N?m) at 4,000 rpm. The 5.7-liter HEMI was redesigned for 2009, with several new and improved technologies including Variable-valve Timing (VVT), increased compression ratio, active intake manifold with long runners for low-end torque and short runners for high-rpm power, improved cylinder head port flow efficiency and reduced-restriction exhaust and induction systems.

New Exterior Styling; Loads of Interior Comfort and Convenience
The all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickup was born from the same truck family that brought out the award-winning Ram 1500 - Strategic Vision's Quality Award Winner.

The 2010 Ram Heavy Duty includes all-new styling, offering a tougher more capable look with improved aerodynamics and fit and finish. To accommodate cooling requirements of the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, the new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty grille opening is larger than the light-duty grille. The larger grille mates to a taller hood that incorporates louvers on each side. Access to the front winch (on Power Wagon models) and tow hooks led to the unique front-bumper design.

The new dual-rear-wheel fenders (3500 dually only) are now integrated into the box stamping and offer a smooth aerodynamic appearance.

The new 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 Mega Cab models offer best-in-class interior room in the segment, including the largest, longest cab (143.2 cubic feet 111.1 inches long); largest interior cargo volume (72.2 cubic feet); largest cargo volume behind rear seat (7.7 cubic feet); largest flat-floor load area (16.8 square feet); largest second-row leg room (44.2 inches); largest rear-door opening (34.5 inches wide, 35.5 inches high); largest rear-door open angle 85 degrees); and first-ever reclining rear seats (22- to 37-degree seat-back angle).

Ram Heavy Duty Delivers More than 25 Safety and Security Features
The all-new Ram Heavy Duty also offers 25 active and passive safety features, including Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), advanced multi-stage air bags, BeltAlert, Brake/Park interlock, child-protection rear door locks, Constant-force Retractors (CFR), crumple zones, electronic brake-force distribution, energy-absorbing steering column, Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS), height-adjustable seat belts, HomeLink universal home security system transceiver, interior head-impact protection, knee bolsters, Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) child seat anchor system, low-risk deployment air bag, Parksense® rear park-assist system, power-adjustable pedals, remote keyless entry, seat-belt pretensioners, Sentry Key® engine immobilizer, standard side-curtain air bags, three-point seat belts, Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) and Uconnect Phone.

2010 Ram Heavy Duty Pricing
The all-new 2010 Ram Heavy Duty is available with a starting U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $28,165 for regular cab models, $31,415 for crew cab models and $36,865 for Mega Cab models. All prices include $950 for destination. The all-new 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty arrives in dealerships in late 2009 calendar year.

About Four Wheeler
Now in its 48th year, Four Wheeler is published monthly by Source Interlink Media LLC and reaches over 236,000 subscribers monthly with an approximate readership of three million off-road enthusiasts.

About Ram Brand
With a work-hard, play-hard attitude, Ram offers the boldest, most powerful and capable pickup truck lineup on the planet.

Introduced in 2008, the Ram 1500 is a game-changer in terms of its ability to "outsmart" and "out-tough" the competition with its bold exterior design, crafted and refined interior, engineering excellence, superb innovation and best-in-class features and amenities.

The Ram 1500 also ranks at the top of Strategic Vision 2009 Total Quality Index? (TQI) in the full-size truck segment. According to the survey, the Ram 1500 leads the way with the highest Total Quality score of any truck in the 15-year history of the study.

Customers specifically noted that the Ram has the best added storage capability along with the best truck interior ever rated by customers.

Ram will add to its award-winning truck lineup with the introduction of its all-new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty Trucks. The new Heavy-Duty trucks provide customers with first-time innovations and features along with new standards of strength, utility and driveability, building on the Ram's leadership in the Heavy-Duty pickup segment.

Ram will further enhance its commercial vehicle presence with the introduction of a "new crew" of commercial-grade work trucks: the new 2011 Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs. Led by an all-new crew cab, the new 2011 Dodge Ram Chassis Cabs are built on a proven frame and chassis and engineered for maximum uptime, optimum performance and enhanced commercial capability.
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New 2010 Models Arrive with Cool Features to Warm Up the Automotive Market


Whether you want to keep your soft drinks cold or your hands warm, new 2010 model-year vehicles are arriving here with a wide variety of features to make life on the road a little more comfortable.


"Heated steering wheels and built-in beverage coolers are just a couple of the unique features available on 2010 model-year cars and trucks," said Greg Fuller, General Sales Manager. "While customers aren't going to choose a certain vehicle just because it has lighted cup holders, they do appreciate the thoughtfulness of the small details - especially if it eliminates coffee spills during late night driving."


"Performance, fuel economy, vehicle size and price are still important drivers of buyer decisions," Fuller said, "But, often it's the 'creature features' that new vehicle owners like to show off to their friends and neighbors."


Goss Dodge Chrysler is replenishing its vehicle inventory as new 2010 model-year Chrysler, Dodge Car and Ram Truck vehicles continue to arrive. Some examples of the unique comfort and utility features that can be found on 2010 vehicles follow:


Chill Zone® acts as a cooled-beverage storage bin holding up to four, 20-ounce bottles or cans. It is available on the Dodge Caliber, Avenger and Journey.


Heated Steering Wheel fights the cold of winter mornings and is activated either by a switch inside the vehicle or by using the remote start function. It is available on the Ram 1500.


Illuminated front cup holders make it easier to find your drink in the dark. It is available on the Dodge Caliber and Journey.


MusicGate Power speakers swing down from the rear liftgate and face rearward for entertaining at tailgate parties and picnics. It is available on the Dodge Caliber.


Rear Cross Path warns a driver backing out of a parking space that traffic is moving toward his or her vehicle. It is exclusively available on the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.


Blind Spot Monitoring notifies the driver using side-view mirror icons and audible charms if a vehicle is in the blind spot when changing lanes. It is available on the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.


Integrated child booster seats have a moveable seat cushion that can stay in the normal position for older children and adults, or the seat can be raised to accommodate children between four and eight years and 40-80 pounds. It is available on the Dodge Journey, Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town & Country.


RamBox is an industry-first cargo management system built into the bed rails for versatile, weatherproof, lockable and drainable storage. It is available on the Ram 1500.


"Store-in-the-floor" bins offer versatile covered storage in the floor of the vehicle. It is available on the Chrysler Town & Country, the Dodge Journey and Grand Caravan.


Multi-displacement system seamlessly alternates the engine between smooth, fuel-efficient four cylinder mode when less power is needed and V8 mode when more power is requested. It is available on the Chrysler 300, the Dodge Challenger and Ram 1500.


Voice command lets drivers select radio stations, choose satellite radio channels, enter navigation destinations and make phone calls using voice recognition technology. Voice command is standard with the Uconnect phone feature available on the Chrysler 300, Sebring Convertible and Town & Country; Dodge Avenger, Grand Caravan, Caliber, Challenger, Charger, Dakota, Journey, and Nitro; Ram 1500.


Sirius Backseat TV is exclusively available on Chrysler Group vehicles and offers commercial-free satellite broadcasts of Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network. It is available on the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country; Dodge Charger, Grand Caravan, Journey, and Nitro; Ram 1500 and 2500/3500.


Rain-sensing wipers automatically detect moisture on the windshield and activate the wipers. It is available on the Chrysler 300, Town & Country; Dodge Grand Caravan.


Remote-Start will turn on the vehicle and its automatic climate control (if equipped) to heat or cool the vehicle as needed. The remote start is integrated into the key fob and works up to 300 feet away. It is available on the Chrysler 300, Sebring, Sebring Convertible, and Town & Country; Dodge Caliber, Charger Dakota, Grand Caravan and Nitro; Ram 1500.


Stow 'n Go® provides second- and third row seating that quickly and conveniently folds into the floor for more cargo space when the seating space isn't required. It is unique to the minivan segment and is available on the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.


Swivel 'n Go features second-row seats that swivel 180 degrees to face the third row, a removable table that installs between the two rows, and fold-in the-floor third-row seating. It is exclusive in the minivan segment and available on the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan.

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2009 Full-Size Pickup Truck Comparison Test and Video

We see it every Friday during our evening commute. A stream of vehicles choking the freeway, headed out to the Mojave Desert or the Colorado River for some well-earned weekend stress relief.

The fun varies, from camping to dirt-bike riding to water-skiing. But the vehicle that invariably gets tasked with hauling the corresponding equipment is a full-size pickup truck. You know, like the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, 2009 Ford F-150 or 2009 Toyota Tundra.

Sure, we talk about the virtues of the minivan as a family hauler, and there are many. But the minivan stands no chance against a looming 25-foot camping trailer. And SUVs are easily flummoxed by motocross bikes and the need to carry their smelly gas cans (or anything that's remotely dirty, actually) in the vehicle's cargo area.

There's nothing like a pickup, with its big bin in back that doesn't care what you toss into it. And the truck is sure to be around long after the full-frame SUV falls completely out of favor and descends into the three-row car-based sensibility that is the crossover.

Read the rest of the article at www.edmunds.com
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1 - 09 - 09 - MORE AWARDS FOR THE ALL NEW 2009 DODGE RAM 1500






All-new 2009 Dodge Ram Hauls Home Truckin' Magazine’s 2009 Truck of the Year Award
 
Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan 6, 2009  - 

The game-changing all-new 2009 Dodge Ram continues to win praise by consumers and media. The all-new Dodge Ram was named 2009 Truck of the Year in the current issue of Truckin’ magazine.

“It’s an honor to have Truckin’ magazine recognize our all-new 2009 Dodge Ram with this significant award,” said Scott Kunselman, Vice-President Jeep®/Truck Product Team, Chrysler LLC. “This award speaks loudly about the design and capability of our Dodge Ram along with its benchmark interior and unmatched ride and handling.”

“Overall, the sleek design represented the most dramatic change in Ram design since the ‘94’s love-it-or-leave-it big-rig look, and we think it’s a hit,” said Bob Ryder, Senior Tech Editor, Truckin’. “The Dodge Boys have really done their homework on this one. The quality of materials, including wood trim, chrome accents, and leather, is miles ahead of the previous generation, and really makes the Dodge look luxurious.”

The all-new 2009 Dodge Ram includes the first-in-segment RamBox™ cargo management system that includes versatile, weatherproof, lockable, illuminated, drainable storage bins, pickup bed dividers, a 2-foot bed extender, and a cargo rail system with sliding adjustable cleats. The 2009 Ram also includes the first-in-segment coil-spring, five-link rear suspension fitted to a solid rear axle providing ride and handling not found on any other pickup truck. A new 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with fuel-saving MDS technology provides more horsepower (390 hp) and torque (407 lb.-ft.) and its best-in-class aerodynamics – .387 Cd – helps improve fuel economy and performance.

In addition, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram includes first-in-segment, factory-installed 4-inch dual exhaust styled dramatically into the rear bumper, first-in-segment store-in-the-floor storage bins with nearly twice as many bins (42) than the previous model (26) and 35 safety and security technologies. Standard features include side-curtain air bags and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) which includes all-speed traction control, trailer sway control, hill-start assist and anti-lock brake system (ABS). Significantly upgraded interiors with segment-first surround-sound audio system and live SIRIUS Backseat TV™ round out the interior.

Recently, the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab earned 5-star ratings for driver- and front-passenger protection in a frontal crash, the highest ratings in the U.S. government’s safety crash test program.

In addition to winning Truckin’ magazine’s Truck of the Year, the all-new Dodge Ram has picked up several key awards since its introduction:

  • Ward's AutoWorld – Ward's 10 Best Engines of 2009 (2009 Dodge Ram 5.7 HEMI engine)
  • Texas Auto Writer's Association (TAWA) – 2009 Full-Size Pickup Truck of Texas
  • Edmunds.com – Inside Line Editors Most Wanted 2009
  • Autobytel.com – 2009 MyRide/Autobytel Editor's Choice Awards - Truck of the Year
  • Maxim – Achievement in Party-Enabling Technology (RamBox)
  • Automotive Journalist Association of Canada – Best New Pickup
  • Sobre Ruedas – Sobre Ruedas Best Pickup Truck for '08


All-new HEMI® with Fuel-Saving MDS Technology Earns Ward’s 2009 "10 Best Engines" Award
 

Refined 5.7-liter HEMI Delivers Improved Fuel Economy, Even More Power and Torque

  • All-new 5.7-liter HEMI® engine recognized by Ward’s for powertrain excellence
  • Sixth “10 Best Engine Award” for 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine
  • Expanded utilization of Chrysler’s fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS) operation
  • More power: as much as 390 horsepower
  • More torque: as much as 410 lb.-ft. of torque

 
Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan 7, 2009  -  Now in its second generation, the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine has once again earned a place on Ward’s distinguished “2009 10 Best Engines” list. Relentlessly delivering powertrain excellence, Chrysler LLC has earned Ward’s "10 Best" award six times in the last seven years with the iconic 5.7-liter HEMI engine.

"The HEMI earns the honor not on pure emotion or brute force but with advanced new technology such as variable valve timing, which allows cruising in four-cylinder mode about 40 percent of the time, which is twice as much as the previous-generation Multi-Displacement System cylinder-deactivation system," said Tom Murphy – Executive Director of Ward’s AutoWorld magazine. "A number of Ward’s testers managed to top 19 mpg (12.3 L/100 km) with the HEMI, putting it in line with certain premium V-6s tested."

With improved Multi-Displacement System (MDS) technology for increased fuel efficiency, added refinement and more power, the all-new 2009 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine delivers world-class performance and technology in nine Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles. The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with MDS technology is available on 2009 Chrysler 300C, Chrysler Aspen, Jeep® Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Ram Heavy Duty series and the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 and Dodge Challenger.

“We are honored to have our iconic HEMI engine recognized by Ward's for a sixth time,” said Bob Lee, Vice President – Powertrain Product Engineering Team, Chrysler LLC. “HEMI is synonymous with performance, and now — thanks to VVT, expanded four-cylinder mode in our MDS system, and a host of other technologies — Chrysler’s new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine delivers more fuel efficiency and refinement, along with even more power.”

While the new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine maintains the key architecture that makes “HEMI” synonymous with “performance,” Chrysler powertrain engineers improved engine breathing and added new technologies, including Variable Valve Timing (VVT), that substantially improve fuel economy and refinement.

The HEMI’s new VVT improves fuel economy in two ways. First, it reduces the engine’s pumping work by closing the intake valve later. Second, it increases the expansion process of the combustion event. This allows more work to be transferred to the crankshaft instead of being rejected out of the exhaust port as heat. Essentially, VVT improves engine breathing, which improves engine efficiency and power.

Dodge’s fuel-saving MDS system seamlessly alternates between smooth, high-fuel-economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and V-8 mode when more power from the new 5.7-liter HEMI engine is in demand. This optimizes fuel economy when V-8 power is not required, without sacrificing vehicle performance or capability.

An expanded MDS operating range in the new-for-2009 HEMI will allow customers to realize an even-greater fuel economy benefit. Chrysler estimates that since its inception of MDS in 2005, more than 100 million gallons of gasoline have been saved, along with reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of close to one million

When MDS is operating, it is indicated by a “Fuel Saver” readout in the vehicles Electronic Vehicle Information Center.

In addition to VVT and expanded MDS operating range, the HEMI’s fuel economy and performance improvements result from an increased compression ratio, an active intake manifold with long runners for low-end torque and short runners for high-rpm power, improved cylinder head port flow efficiency, and reduced restriction exhaust and induction systems.

Numerous other hardware upgrades were implemented to build on the quality, reliability and durability reputation of the HEMI engine. These include crankshaft structural upgrades, a dual-mass crankshaft damper, new piston design, improved valve-spring design and oil pump capacity increase for VVT.

The new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine is manufactured at the Saltillo Engine Plant in Saltillo, Mexico.


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